Microplastics in Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda): new evidence of ingestion from natural contexts

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 25; no. 28; pp. 28725 - 28729
• Main Authors: Iannilli, Valentina, Di Gennaro, Alessia, Lecce, Francesca, Sighicelli, Maria, Falconieri, Mauro, Pietrelli, Loris, Poeta, Gianluca, Battisti, Corrado
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Amphipoda; Amphipoda - chemistry; Animals; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Birds; Coastal ecosystems; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Detritus; Dietary Exposure - analysis; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology; Ecotoxicology - methods; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental science; Food Chain; Food chains; Fourier transforms; Gastrointestinal Contents; Infrared spectroscopy; Ingestion; Invertebrates; Italy; Microplastics; Plastic pollution; Plastics - analysis; Polyethylene - analysis; Short Research and Discussion Article; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum analysis; Talitrus saltator; Vertebrates; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution Control; Italy; Anthropogenic marine litter; Trophic web; Sandy beaches; Talitridae; Sand hoppers
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2932-z

Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements and comparing the spectrum peaks (range 4000–600 cm −1 ) with reference spectra database and instrument libraries, we observed new evidence of the ingestion of microplastic particles analyzing the digestive tracts of Talitrus saltator . Specimens, sampled in central Italy, probably ingested the particles with natural detritus. Since worldwide many species of invertebrates and vertebrates (e.g., birds) feed on Amphipoda along coastal ecosystems, we hypothesized that microplastic in these crustaceans can be accumulated along the food chain.